Another Three Months of Saving Lives in Sangkhlaburi…

Stories your support made possible!

Every day in Sangkhlaburi, dogs and cats face a reality they did not choose – injury, illness, abandonment, or simply being overlooked in a place where veterinary care is nonexistent. But because of you, that is not where their story ends. Compassion, backed by action, becomes a lifeline – ensuring that when an animal is suffering, someone shows up, care is given, and hope replaces despair.

Thanks to our supporters, our small but relentless team is able to respond when it matters most – saving lives in the moment and working to prevent suffering before it begins through outreach, education, and spay/neuter programs. In just the past few months, our supporter’s compassion has made this possible. The highlights below reflect not just numbers, but lives changed – because friends like you chose to act.

FIVE YEARS of saving lives!

Five years ago on May 1, the Sangkhlaburi Animal Sanctuary was nothing more than a crumbling boatyard, with no life within it. Today, it stands as a vibrant sanctuary and free veterinary clinic – a vibrant place of healing and a safe home built through compassion, determination, and the belief that something special was possible.

That belief has resulted in extraordinary impact. Nearly 13,000 spay/neuter surgeries have prevented immense suffering, while dozens of outreach clinics have brought care to remote communities with no other veterinary access. Thousands of animals – many in desperate condition – have received life-saving treatment.

Today, our sanctuary stands as proof of what compassion can build. Dogs and cats once abandoned now wait safely for loving homes, some already adopted as far away as Canada, France, and the UK. Every animal who has passed through our gates has known care, dignity, and love. As we mark this five-year milestone, we celebrate not just the transformation of a piece of property and the many lives changed, but our supporters who make everything possible.

Behind every number is a story like these…

From Tragedy to Triumph: Meet Nikki

Earlier this quarter, we shared the story of a tiny puppy found on a lonely road, badly injured after being hit by a vehicle and left for dead. Thanks to a compassionate passerby and the quick response of our team, she received the emergency care she desperately needed – and, against the odds, survived.

Today, we are thrilled to share that she is not only recovering… she has a name. Nearly 70 thoughtful suggestions were submitted by our supporters, and after careful consideration, our team chose Pumpernickel – or “Nikki” for short. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, and especially to James Reynolds, whose suggestion was selected. Nikki’s story is a powerful reminder that, with your support, even the most fragile lives can be saved.

Somjud HAS A HOME!

Remember Somjud? She was hit by a car, and her leg was crushed near the 7-Eleven store in town, where she once survived on scraps of food. She was rushed to our free clinic, and we did everything we could. In the end, her leg couldn’t be saved. But Somjud never gave up – and one day, everything changed…

Two volunteers, Owen and Megan, met her – and fell in love. Today, Somjud is living with her wonderful family in England. She gets constant hugs, tasty meals – and has a soft little bed in every room!

Maauray – back to his “frisky old self!”

A horrific act of violence left Maauray in critical condition. His injuries were almost too painful to look at – his eyes swollen nearly shut, blood coming from his nose, and severe head trauma clearly evident. When he was brought to our clinic, he was clinging to life.

Since sharing his story, many of you have asked how he is doing. The news is nothing short of remarkable: Maauray has fully recovered and is back at home, once again his “frisky old self.”

Coco’s recovery continues…

Coco’s story is a powerful reminder of just how fragile survival can be on the streets of Sangkhlaburi – and how quickly compassion can change the outcome. After being struck by multiple cars, Coco was found in critical condition and rushed to our clinic after hours. Though her visible injuries were minimal, the trauma she endured was severe. Severely malnourished at just 12 pounds, Coco was also found to be both blind and without her sense of smell – two devastating losses that made even the simple act of finding food impossible.

Coco continues to make slow but meaningful progress. She has gone from walking in circles to finding her footing, step by step. While her long-term prognosis still remains uncertain, one thing is not: Coco will never return to the streets where she was found. She now has a safe, permanent home at our sanctuary – unless a loving adopter comes forward – and will continue to receive the care she needs for as long as it takes. Her journey is far from over, but because of compassionate support, Coco now has something she’s likely never known before: safety, stability, and the chance to heal.

Thanks to our caring supporters, dogs and cats who would have suffered alone are now treated, healed, and given a chance at life. Your generosity is not just appreciated – it is seen in every recovery, every second chance, and every life saved.

Just ask Nikki, Somjud, Maauray, and Coco!

With heartfelt gratitude,

PS: Every rescue, every surgery, every spay/neuter, every mile traveled to reach a remote village is made possible by people who choose compassion again and again. Whether you’ve given once or stood with us for years, please know this: animals are alive today because of you. If you’re able to give today – at any level and in any currency – you’ll help ensure that when our phone rings again – and it always does – we can say “yes” to the next animal in need.